The expansion opportunity for off-grid PV to go mainstream: Multiple case studies for village electrification and telecom power-up in India

Abstract

The authors have successfully installed more than 500kW of PV for rural electrification in India and have developed key learning points which can enhance PV adoption. The opportunities for the off-grid power systems are increasing dramatically to where this is no longer a niche application and could be called "non-grid", including the cases where the grid is not reliable and PV becomes an adjacent power source. There are numerous drivers which can develop multiple 10's of GW of nongrid PV demand in the next decade based on leveraging the types of successful implementation as shown by the authors.The authors discuss three key projects: village electrification for lighting in Andhra Pradesh (162 villages 750kW), flour mill powering in Madhya Pradesh (29 Villages 485kW), and power-up of cell towers replacing diesel. The PV and battery combination provide key advantages for each application. In these cases, grid extension is not viable and PV presents a compelling solution over diesel.Key considerations are: diesel is prone to theft; PV/battery is now cost effective, has more robust components, lower pollution, and with longer Li battery lifetimes overall lower O&M.The particulars of the village electrifications are presented along with the overall costs and cost recovery modes with nominal usage fees collected. The compelling aspects for telecom power-up with PV are highlighted as this has potential for up to 5% of all global PV. Both the key application points of the installations and the market opportunity drivers will be detailed. .Index Terms -off-grid, village electrification, micro-grid.

A review of renewable energy based power supply options for telecom towers

“…It is also mentioned that for a specific location with a 4 kW peak telecom load, an 8.1kWp solar PV system can eliminate DG usage, provided, the grid is available for about 8 h per day. Battery life is also improved with the help of a solar PV system due to reduced cycles (Siah et al, 2014).…”

Analysis and optimizes of hybrid wind and solar photovoltaic generation system for off-grid small village

“…Due to its intrinsic optimal conditions, such as non-compliance with fuel prices, concern of fuel source and infrastructure reliability, the PV generation is increasing its value as a sustainable renewable energy source [7]. In other words, PV generation is getting extended importance as an economically sustainable power source due to its natural good conditions like nonattendance of fuel costs, fuel supply issue and structure constancy with for all intents and purposes zero upkeep.…”

“…As indicated by an investigation in 2014. As per a measurement government report in 2014, the age of power in the region district originates from gas and fuel assets [7].…”